‘Murty has done something unique’
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Jason McKevitt, Ruth Illingworth and Paddy Farrell at he museum launch night.Image 2 of 11
Michael Thompson, Eddie Robinson and Cllr Bill Collentine on Wednesday at the launch event.Image 3 of 11
David Gibson Brabazon (Midland Counties and Kildare Branch of The British Legion) with Damien Quinn.Image 4 of 11
Murty’s granddaughters, Eleanor Quinn, Grace Conway and Eadaoin Quinn.Image 5 of 11
Martin McCormack from Delvin and James Reilly from Clonmellon.Image 6 of 11
Graham McMahon with Deputy Robert Troy.Image 7 of 11
Gerard and Stephen Conway from Mullingar.Image 8 of 11
Ray and Margaret Matthews from Mullingar.Image 9 of 11
Lorcan Byrne and Lorraine Quinn at the opening night.Image 10 of 11
Stephen and Eoin Conway (Mullingar) on Wednesday.Image 11 of 11
Kevin Martin and Lorcan Byrne at the new museum.Murty Quinn “has done something unique as of keeper of local military artefacts that future generations can enjoy”, said historian Jason McKevitt at the launch of a new museum in Columb Barracks last week.
He welcomed those present and said he was “quite simply awestruck by what Murty has managed to achieve – it is brilliant and very special”.
He praised Murty, and the committee and members of Post 20, Irish United Nations Veterans Association (IUNVA), for facilitating the space at Columb Barracks, which allows Murty’s collection to be displayed for all to enjoy.
“Once again, the IUNVA are leading from the front in Mullingar when it comes to remembering the noble past of our town and barracks,” he said.
Jason then presented a short history of Columb Barracks and the site previous to that, including the fact that Michael Collins visited the barracks only weeks before he was killed at Béal na Bláth.
He said: “Murty has achieved something special, He is one man, a private individual, but a great man, who has achieved what local politicians and the executive of Westmeath County Council have failed to achieve. He has created a museum consisting of military artefacts for future generations to enjoy – if one man can do that, why can’t Westmeath County Council?
“I now plead with the council to take action and allow us to witness a permanent mullingar museum/heritage centre become a reality. It would be a location that would celebrate our military past, and all of the rich history and heritage of our town, especially its gift to the world of music and the arts.
“No more words and no more promises – now is the time for real action!”
Cllr Ken Glynn performed the official opening of Murty’s Military Museum last Wednesday evening.
He was familiar with the contents, having previously seen them, and was delighted that all the items have been gathered in one place, available for public viewing.
“Murty is 43 years putting it together, and it’s all Colin Barracks memorabilia – it’s unbelievable and it’s a great credit to him. I was blown away when I first saw it and it was a great honour for me as mayor to be asked to open the museum,” he said.
Cllr Glynn added: “I think that one of the biggest single disasters to ever happen to this town was the closure of Colin Barracks and now Murty has brought a little bit of military life back into it with the reopening of his museum.”
He said Murty would make his collection available to a broader Mullingar museum, if one is ever developed in the town.
“I am determined that we would have a museum that can cater not only for military history but for music, sport, and railway, and all the other historical memorabilia. This was Murty’s night, and he’s willing to make his collection available if the council will step up and help provide a museum.
"This has been talked about for many years and really hasn’t gone anywhere. So I am, as mayor, am determined that we will try to push it forward, but it needs everybody to come on board. It needs all stakeholders, it needs government support, it needs council support, and it needs, obviously, the elected representatives, to come together and try to make it happen.”